Polls open for the 2019 local elections in less than a week.
This week Bracknell News will be bringing you statements from candidates standing in all 18 wards.
Scroll down and you'll find out a bit about who your candidates are, why they want to be elected and who they're standing for.
In Central Sandhurst ward, voters will be asked to choose two councillors from the list on their ballot paper.
You can find your nearest polling station at the bottom of this story.
Residents can vote from 7am - 10pm on Thursday, May 2.
Candidates
Leo Anniballi (Labour)
"I have work in the health and social care sector supporting young people who experience difficulties in their lives in relation to addiction. I have enjoyed working in this sector for over 15 years, since I left the Army in the year 2000.
"I moved to Sandhurst in 2002. I love the local community and have two small children who go to local schools. Like other residents of Sandhurst, I enjoy the community feel of the village and feel that this is an important part of living in Sandhurst.
"I feel strongly about the local community and through speaking to other parents and other residents I understand the issues that are facing the village-the worry of the increase in crimes and theft from homes and cars, the access to education for our children and grandchildren, access to affordable homes and access to transportation.
"Like other residents I would like to build a safe and welcoming community for all people whom live and work in the local area. I would like to deal with the local concerns of residents such as the build-up of new homes and through traffic that is using the roads into Sandhurst and local area.
"If I was successful in gaining the vote I would make sure that I represent each and every resident in the local area and would focus my attention in areas that you feel are important to you and the community. Like all other residents I am proud of the area that I live in and would like to improve the local area. One of the main issues I would like to focus on is to improve the main through road which goes straight into the heart of Sandhurst. I want to improve the main truck road and improve the pathways so that residents can feel safer when walking in certain areas of Sandhurst."
Michael Brossard (Conservative)
"Shortly after moving to Sandhurst in 1988, I became a Town Councillor. From that time I took a particular interest in planning as this has a significant impact on our quality of life. I was on the planning committee as Vice Chairman and then chairman. In 2007 following the Borough elections I chose planning as one of my committees. Four years ago I became Vice Chairman. This has enabled me to shape the long term development of Sandhurst by ensuring that any proposals are both proportionate and sympathetic to the environment. In addition I chose our Licensing committee where we can determine the impact on nearby residents of extended hours, changes to entertainment format etc. As with planning decisions, we have the interests of our residents at heart. This ensures that only applications that are appropriate will be approved. For the last 12 years I have chaired the Neighbourhood Action Group meetings. These take place every three months and are attended by Thames Valley Police, Head Teachers, Resident Associations, councillors and residents with specialist knowledge. By liaising with the relevant department at Bracknell Forest Council we have secured positive outcomes. These include 20 m.p.h. limits, double yellow lines, additional parking bays etc. With your support we will build on the quality of life, evidenced by the excellent facilities at our much lauded Memorial Park and Shepherd Meadows."
Rosie Chandler (Green Party)
I have lived in Sandhurst for 12 years, and my children attend the local schools. I work as a software engineer and I have a doctorate in computational physics. As your Green Party candidate for Central Sandhurst, I have a keen interest in social equality and the environment. If elected, I will work hard to ensure that key public transport links are maintained and enhanced and that your council tax is spent and invested locally. I also support the Climate Emergency motion and the Plastic Free Communities campaign, which other local boroughs have endorsed, and I would be keen to raise awareness of these issues in Bracknell if elected.
Garrett Cooke (Labour)
"I have lived in Sandhurst since 1993 and worked for over twenty-five years in IT companies. Now I am self-employed as a Maths and Physics Teacher for GCSE and A level students. I have brought up my family in Sandhurst and my children attended local schools. Sandhurst is a very special place to live.
"I use the local facilities and want to maintain the character of Sandhurst as a Town whilst ensuring that the necessary ‘affordable’ housing, social facilities, schools and health care facilities are available for all residents.
"I would like to see the Council with more Labour representation so that residents can have confidence that decisions being made concerning the environment, leisure facilities, housing etc are properly scrutinised. I would like to see a more balanced local democracy where views across the political spectrum are represented and debated before decisions are made."
Mike Forster (Liberal Democrat)
"My name is Mike Forster, I am the Liberal Democrat candidate for Central Sandhurst. Sandhurst is a great place to live and I want to maintain this situation. But we have a problem – the Sandhurst voice is lost in the Conservative-dominated Bracknell Forest Council. We have all seen our council taxes rise over recent years, in some cases by 5.99%, this has an effect on our public services. It is vital for the community in Sandhurst that we protect our fabulous library and day care centre, I will do everything I can to keep them and the service they provide. We have also recently seen the plans for the development of Horseshoe Lake which are of great concern to many Sandhurst residents. The traffic on York Town Road can be awful, we don’t need more congestion. As Sandhurst residents we need to have a voice on developments which affect our community and I will do my best to raise these concerns and fight our corner. I served in the British Army for 20 years prior to moving to Sandhurst, I believe the skills and focus this experience gave me can help keep our community a great place to live."
Gaby Kennedy (Conservative)
"I have lived in Sandhurst for 25 years. I retired from an international airline company in 2011, as a senior manager. During my 41 years of problem solving in a fast moving customer service facing environment, I learnt how to work with the public and how to deliver good service, often in challenging times. I was elected Town Councillor in 2015 representing Central Sandhurst. I am Chairman of the Environment committee. My particular interest is in recycling and landfill waste management. I am also Deputy Mayor having been elected in 2018. I sit on the Planning committee and have focused upon preventing inappropriate development to help maintain an environment that everyone can enjoy. I represent the Town Council at the Sandhurst Day Centre, which cares for our older residents, where I am also a Trustee. I was elected Borough Councillor in 2016 and sit on the Environment, Culture and Communities Overview and Scrutiny Panel. Bracknell Forest is recognised as one of the best places to live in England. Its community spirit, the mix of small and big businesses, the high quality of local health services, schools, parks and open spaces, makes it a special place to live, work and thrive. I want to ensure it remains well managed, community focused and concentrates on the things that really matter to residents. If elected to the Borough Council, I will commit to working hard and do the best job I can for all the residents of Central Sandhurst and the borough."
Leigh Quigg (Liberal Democrat)
"I was born in Reading & moved to Sandhurst in 2004 with my husband and then 2 young daughters aged 2 and 10 days! Since then, our children have attended local nursery, primary and now secondary school, so we’ve gone through many of the local trials and tribulations that many parents face.
"I’ve worked in marketing for 30 years and currently head up a European region with a global software company, with offices in Maidenhead. The experience I’ve gained from working with colleagues from all over Europe has been invaluable – listening and being a good communicator are a must!
"I’m really keen to ensure that there is more balance and a voice to challenge the status quo of those that have been leading the Councils, given that largely decisions are made and go through unquestioned or unchallenged. I’m also concerned about the proposed expansion of Horseshoe Lake in Sandhurst, which could have a huge effect on local traffic in the surrounding narrow country lanes. And, whilst at local level we can only advise BFBC on planning, I really don’t believe we have the infrastructure in Sandhurst to sustain any further new housing developments locally."
Nearest polling station
Sandhurst Town Council Offices, Memorial Park, Yorktown Road, Sandhurst GU47 9BJ
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